In 2022 I reported on the Celebrity Spirit phenomenon. Te trend had accelerated greatly following the sale of George Clooney and friend Rande Gerber’s Casamigos Tequila brand to Diageo plc for $1 Billion in June 2017. I was captivated (as a fan) by Sassenach Scotch Whiskey, a premium-blend by Sam Heugan who plays Jamie Frasier on the STARZ series, Outlander. Let’s take a look at this year’s celebrity spirits rankings and online trending data. Please comment below should you have a different favorite of your own.
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Study Reveals Which Celebrity Alcohol Brands Are Trending Online
The team at Booking Agent Info analyzed Google searches of the most popular alcohol brands. Here are the top 10 trending.
Casamigos Tequila, $39, 750 ml – George Clooney owned and endorsed the premium tequila that set the measure for a financial windfall brand sale. Casamigos was sold to liquor corporation giant, Diageo. This drink was a clear winner in searches with over 1 million per month, almost double the searches of the nearest competitor.
Armand de Brignac Champagne Brut Gold with Gift Box “Ace of Spades” $340 by Jay-Z – This wine carried an average of 530,000 searches/month. Jay-Z sold a 50% stock in his luxury Champagne brand to LVMH’s wine and spirits arm Moët Hennessy for an undisclosed sum.
Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey - $23 - Conor McGregor came in 3rd place and racked up almost 416,000 searches per month. Whiskey and MMA enthusiasts follow the Irish UFC -Ultimate Fighting Championship – fighter. This triple distilled Irish Whiskey is an ultra-smooth blend of golden grain and single malt with hints of vanilla, honey, and toasted wood.
Teremana Tequila - $36, Blanco, $39 Reposado - by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This tequila won gold at the San Francisco World Spirits competition. This is a handmade small batch tequila made in Jalisco, Mexico.
Heaven’s DoorBourbon Whiskey- $55 co-created with Bob Dylan, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” This Tennessee bourbon whiskey has a hint of honey, pumpernickel, baking spices, caramel, and oak.
818 Tequila - $47 (Añejo) founded by Kendall Jenner. This 6th place brand features a sweet caramel taste and is evidently popular with people who prefer tequila that does not taste like a normal tequila.
Ryan Reynolds and Aviation Gin, courtesy of Aviation Gin, Photographer: Guy Aroch
Aviation American Gin - $ 24 - with Ryan Reynolds. I have this stocked in my bar. Good to see it is still one of the top brands. I love it with Fever Tree tonic.
Cincoro Tequila - $130 for Anejo, and $90 for the Blanco - with co-owners Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Michael Strahan. This 8th place finisher had Michael Jordan involved from the earliest days. There is even an Extra Anejo for $1600.
Dos Hombres Mezcal - $55 with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. This 9th most popular drink from the Breaking Bad duo of characters, Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, has a popular following. The name translates to “two men” and is distilled in small batches in Oaxaca, Mexico.
David Beckham and Haig Club Whiskey
Haig Club Whiskey - $95 (750 ml.) owned by Diageo since 2014 with the face of David Beckham. At #10 it’s hard to resist a spirit with David Beckham as a sponsor. Launched in 2014 this whiskey was crafted at Scotland’s oldest grain whiskey distillery in Cameronbridge in Fife. The House of Haig traces its history back to the seventeenth century.
Other Notable Finishers
Bruno Mars’ SelvaRey Rum, Cameron Diaz’s Avaline Wine, Post Malone’s Maison No. 9 Provence Rosé wine, Michael Bublé’s Fraser and Thompson Whiskey, and Ciara’s Ten to One Rum were also some of the most researched alcohol brands.
Since tequila seems to dominate the searches, I am recommending one of my favorite non-Margarita recipes, the Tequila Sunrise. This 3-ingredient cocktail was created in the early 1970’s by Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice at the Trident bar in Sausalito, California. The drink was made famous by one of the Rollings Stones prior to their 1972 tour, but not sure it was is Mick Jagger or Keith Richard’s idea. The tour was dubbed “the cocaine and Tequila Sunrise tour,” which helped the drink’s cache.
Steps: Add the tequila and then the orange juice to a chilled highball glass filled with ice. Top with the Grenadine which will sink to the bottom, creating a layered effect. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry. From Liquor.com.
